Netizens are abuzz with discussions on what they believe to be HYBE‘s multiple setbacks following its court battle against Min Hee Jin.
On an online forum, netizens are tallying “all the things that HYBE lost” due to its legal dispute with the ADOR CEO. While expressing sympathy for the HYBE artists caught in the crossfire, netizens criticized the management for several issues.
First on the list is the damage to LE SSERAFIM and ILLIT’s reputations: “LE SSERAFIM’s image has completely faltered. This year, they had zero invitations for university festival performances. ILLIT’s image is also tarnished, now labeled as a ‘plagiarism idol.’”
Netizens also highlighted other controversies, including ‘advanced purchasing’ scandals, stocks that plummeted, uncertainties about BTS’s future, and the inability to fire Min Hee Jin due to their having to pay over 200 billion KRW in severance.
Additionally, they noted that HYBE’s definition of ‘malpractice’ remains unclear, and accusations of ‘cult affiliations’ are damaging the artists’ public image.
Other issues discussed include rumors of HYBE employees’ underhanded lifestyles, media strategies, supposed compromises regarding LE SSERAFIM’s musical referencing, and the tarnished image of executives like CEO Park Ji Won, CCO Park Tae Hee, and Bang Si Hyuk himself.
Reactions ranged from support for the affected artists to demands for HYBE to address the controversies transparently.
Comments included:
“I feel so bad for the artists signed there. We need to criticize HYBE’s management, not the idols. Many of them are underage, including the recent debuts. What did they do wrong?”
“I find it sickening that all they do is focus on media play and try to rely on reverse viral tactics.”
“You know what, I actually think this is a good thing. All of HYBE’s bad practices are now out in the public sphere, and everyone gets to comment on it. It’s better than things staying in the dark.”
“Even my parents know about all this, lol…”
“I really hope that BTS gets out of there soon.”
“I hope BTS parts ways with them safely.”
“The whole controversy surrounding advanced purchasing was the worst, I think. Now who is going to trust HYBE and their accomplishments?”
“It was also bad that LE SSERAFIM had their Coachella controversy amid all this.”
What are your thoughts?
